Responsibility and Delegation

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What does responsibility and delegation involve?

Responsibility involves the obligation of an individual in a particular position to perform certain duties, tasks or make certain decisions. Responsibility cannot be delegated and the scope of responsibility must correspond to the scope of authority given. 

Managers can delegate authority to subordinates for tasks, but they cannot delegate responsibility. The manager will be finally responsible.

Types of delegation:

  1. Abdication - no formal delegation.

  2. Custom - tasks are delegated according to status.

  3. Explanation - manager briefs subordinates with regards to how the task is done.

  4. Consultation - manager empowers employees to do the task.

Advantages of delegation:

  1. Efficiency and effectiveness - Delegation requires teamwork which leads to increased efficiency and effectiveness.

  2. Training - Delegating tasks can be a form of training which develops employee skills.

  3. Decision making - When authority is delegated, decision making is quick.

  4. Management succession - Delegation helps to develop managerial skills in employees.

  5. Self-evaluation - Delegation of authority gives a chance to evaluate an employees skills for promotion.

  6. Job satisfaction - Delegation improves job satisfaction and motivates employees to work harder.

Requirements of effective delegation:

  1. Clearly defining the subordinate’s goals and the limits of delegated authority.

  2. Ensuring that the subordinate will be able to undertake the task competently.

  3. Reviewing results and offering feedback on performance at agreed points.

Empowerment is giving autonomy and responsibility to undertake tasks and make decisions without management intervention.

Accountability is the requirement of a lower-level manager to answer to a higher-level manager in the chain of command.

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